Chemical ratio feed pump



Nov. 29, 1966 H. E. ANDERSON 3,288,071

' CHEMICAL RATIO FEED PUMP Filed Dec. 16, 1964 ouT 60 4s 46 as 75 i l l f 3 58 g l 35 26 64 -I 42 FIG" ip II ll H n.

CHEMICAL IN W Will" o INVENTOR. H ERBERT E ANDERSON Y BY $44M ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,288,071 CHEIVIICAL RATIO FEED PUMP Herbert E. Anderson, 407 N. 14th St., Muskogee, Okla. Filed Dec. 16, 1964, Ser. No. 418,603 5 Claims. (Cl. 10338) This invention relates to an improved chemical feed pump. More particularly, this invention relates to a chemical feed pump designed to add chemicals or solutions to a liquid stream. Most particularly, this invention relates to a chemical feed pump designed to :be operated by a liquid meter which is actuated by the flow of the liquid stream and in which the liquid meter operates the pump at a rate of flow proportional to that of the liquid stream.

The main object of this invention is to provide a chemical feed pump designed to add chemicals and chemical solutions to a liquid flow stream in proportion to the flow of the stream regardless of the pressure of the stream.

Another object of this invention is to provide a chemical feed pump which is an improvement over that type disclosed in United States Patent 3,010,404.

Another object ofthis invention is to provide a simplified diaphragm type of chemical feed pump wherein movement of the flexible diaphragm provides the pumping energy and determines the pumping volume and in which the two sides of the diaphragm are subjected to a minimum pressure diiferential.

Another purpose of this invention is to provide a chemical feed pump which is simple to operate, easily adjustable to given rates of feed and at the same time economical and efficient.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description and claims and from the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a sectional view of the entire pump.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view of the feed rate adjustment portion of the pump generally.

Referring now to the drawings, the liquid flow meter is shown in FIGURE 1. A shaft 12 which normally operates the registering mechanism of the meter is extended from the meter into the pump housing 13 and is fitted with a gear which is out of view but which meshes with gear 14. This gear 14 turns the cam 16 which is shown in both views. When cam 16 is rotated it first moves the valve operating follower or lever 18 in an upward direction to operate the unidirectional valves 24 and 32. The operation of the valves 24 and 32 is similar to that described in the prior patent noted previously. Valve operating follower 18 is supported about a shaft 27 upon spring 28. The movement of the valve operating lever 18 first pivots about shaft 27 to force the relief valve cap 20 against its relief valve seat 22 to shut off valve 24 and thus initially close ratiofeeder body chamber 26. As the valve operating lever 18 continues to move, it secondly pivots about the relief valve cap 20 to compress the valve spring 28 and force the valve member 30 away from its seat which is contained in the inlet or pressure balance valve 32. The pressure balance valve 32 is connected by way of a conduit, not shown, to the pressure liquid in the body of meter 10. When the pressure balance valve 32 is opened during the pressure cycle of the diaphragm, the full pressure of the liquid in the meter 10 is introduced into the chamber 26 to act in passageway 34 and chamber 35 against the face of the piston 36. This fluid pressure also acts through the passageway 38 and ports 40 in the operating shaft 41 and against one face of circular diaphragm 42 which is clamped between chemical feed members 43 and 45. The operating shaft is attached to the center of diaphragm 42 at one end and to piston 36 at the other end and sealed with re- 3,288,071 Patented Nov. 29, 1966 spect to member 43 by O-ring 47. Cylinder 46 is vented to the atmosphere on the other side of piston 36 through an external port 44. When the fluid pressure is introduced into chambers 26, 34 and 35 against piston 36 and diaphragm 42, the piston and diaphragm are moved thus compressing spring 48. As the diaphragm 42 moves, the chemical liquid in the diaphragm cavity 50 is forced into port 52 and bore 54 in member 45, thence against check valve 56 to lift the valve from its seat 58. The liquid is then forced out the discharge line 60 which is connected to the downstream part of the liquid flow line in which the meter 10 is installed. Since the pressure which acts against the face of diaphragm 42 is substantially equal to the pressure in the flow line, this pressure is balanced. The force created by the piston 36 is enough to compress spring 48 and also move the chemical liquid into the flow line 60.

As the cam 16 continues to rotate, the valve operating lever 18 is allowed to move downward and thus allows the valve member 30 to seat in the pressure balance valve 32 and also allows the pressure relief valve spring 62 to force the relief valve cap 20 away from valve seat 22. This exhausts the pressure in the chambers 26, 34 and 35. Coil spring 48 then forces the piston and diaphragm assembly in reverse to the right. As this movement progresses, the chemical feed cavity 50 begins to increase in volume thus creating [a partial vacuum in the cavity 50, port 52 and bore 54 drawing check valve 64 from its seat 66 while seating valve 56 onto its seat 58. This permits the introduction of chemical into chamber 50. This chemical solution is used for mixing with or for treating or conditioning the liquid in the line in which the meter 10 is installed. The total piston and diaphragm assembly movement is restrained by interference with a control stop member 70 which is adjustably positioned by control cam 72. Cam 72 is adjusted by exterior knob 74 which is connected to the cam by way of shaft 76 and key 78. The lock nut 80 is utilized to hold the assembly in the desired position. Accordingly, the length of the stroke made by the diaphragm will determine the amount of chemical or treating fluid pumped by the diaphragm through the suction valve 64 and thus through the check valve 56 into the liquid. Suitable indicia can be utilized with respect to the control knob 74 to indicate the desired feed rates.

It is not necessary to have the diametrical passageway 38 and the port 40 through the shaft connecting the piston 36 and the diaphragm 42 in order to provide a continuous path for the liquid. This can :be accomplished by any other type of port arrangement connecting the body cavity 26 to the back side of the diaphragm 42.

As distinguished from the invention in United States Patent 3,010,404, the pumping force in this invention is entirely provided by the hydraulic pressure in chambers 26, 34 and 35 from the flow stream in which the meter and pump is installed. That is, in 3,010,404, the diaphragm is flexed in one direction by the action of a follower from the meter registry shaft, thence in the opposite direction by the action of the return spring upon the shaft member. Thus, the forces which bring about the movement of the diaphragm are mechanical forces in both directions. However, in the present invention, it is clearly shown that the force which moves the diaphragm in one direction is supplied by differential fluid pressure, and by spring 48 in the other direction.

It should be clear from the foregoing description that this pump may operate by not only being interconnected with a flow meter for the liquid to be treated but will also operate independently by connection to an outside power source. For example, this pump could either be connected to a liquid meter which is operating a flow stream through another portion of the system in question, or this pump could be gearably connected to an electric motor not otherwise operating in any portion of the pumping system in question.

It should be clear from the foregoing description that since both surfaces of the diaphragm 42 are subjected to substantially the full hydraulic pressure, during the pumping operation, of the liquid flow stream, the pump of this invention will operate regardless of the pressure of the system involved.

Essentially, there are only two determinants of the volume of solution or treating chemical passing through this pump in a given period of time. These are, first, the spatial volume through which the diaphragm 42 is permitted to operate and, secondly, the rate at which the diaphragm 42 is permitted to cycle. defined by the diaphragm 42 in each cycle of operation is determined by the distance through which the diaphragm is permitted to flex by the adjustments made to the control pin 70. In turn, the position of the control pin 70 is determined by the adjustments made to the control cam 72. The adjustment to control cam 72 is in turn made by the knob 74 at the exterior end of the cam shaft 76. The rate at which the diaphragm 42 cycles is determined by the design of the cam 16 and by the rate at which the cam 16 rotates. Of course, when the chemical feed pump is connected to a fluid meter controlling the entire fluid system, the rate of flow through the interconnected fluid meter will control the rotation of the cam 16. As cam 16 rotates, it alternately permits fluid to enter the body cavity 26 at the same pressure as in the liquid meter attached and then to escape through the relief valve 24 when the pressure balance valve 32 is closed at the same time that the pressure relief valve spring 62 begins to open to permit the excess fluid to escape through the relief valve 24 as the diaphragm 42 begins its reverse journey.

Since many different embodiments of this invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is to be understood that the specific embodiment described in detail herein is not to be taken in a limited sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed:

1. A treating fluid feed pump of the character described comprising:

a pressure fluid cylinder;

M said pressure fluid cylinder containing unidirectional inlet and outlet valves operated by a valve operating lever;

a cam operating against said valve operating lever to alternately supply and exhaust pressure fluid through said valves to said cylinder;

means to rotate said cam;

a pump head chamber having inlet and outlet valved passagewaysto prevent reverse flow;

a flexible diaphragm member disposed in said pump head chamber, one side of which is in communication with said pasageway to move treating fluid therethrough;

a piston disposed in said pressure fluid chamber operable upon supply of pressure fluid to stroke in one direction;

a reciprocable operating shaft sealed with respect to said cylinder and interconnecting said piston and said diaphragm on its other side, a conduit through said shaft to provide communication of said pressure fluid with the other side of said diaphragm;

a return spring to bias said piston in an opposite direction upon exhaust of said pressure fluid;

a control stop member contiguous to the end of said piston stroke in said opposite direction; and

a control cam adjustably secured to said cylinder and operable to displace said stop member with respect The spatial volume to said piston and therefore set the desired length of said stroke.

2. Apparatus to inject measured amounts of treating fluid into a liquid flow stream comprising:

a liquid flow meter including a rotary shaft operable upon said flow;

a housing including a cylinder chamber attached to said meter;

said chamber containing inlet and outlet valve means to alternately supply said liquid from said flow stream thereinto and exhaust therefrom;

a valve follower lever to control said alternate operation of said valves;

a cam attached to said rotary shaft to actuate said follower lever;

a pump head chamber having an inlet valved passageway from a supply of said treating fluid and an outlet valved passageway to said liquid flow stream, said valves unidirectional to prevent reverse flow;

a flexible diaphragm member disposed in said pump head chamber, one side of which is in communication with said valved passageways to move said treating fluid therethrough;

a piston disposed in said pressure fluid chamber operable upon supply of said liquid to stroke in one direction;

a reciprocable operating shaft sealed with respect to said cylinder chamber and interconnected with said piston and the other side of said diaphragm, a conduit through said shaft to provide communication of said liquid with said other side of said diaphragm;

a return spring to bias said piston in an opposite direction upon exhaust of said liquid;

a control stop member contiguous to the end of said piston stroke in said opposite direction; and

a control cam adjustably secured to said cylinder and operable to displace said stop member with respect to said piston and therefore set the desired length of said stroke.

3. Apparatus to inject treating fluid into a flowing liquid pressure stream of the type described including piston means to permit said liquid pressure stream to actuate a diaphragm pump, said pump-having an inlet for said treating fluid and an outlet connecting with said liquid pressure stream;

timed alternating inlet and exhaust valves for said liquid pressure stream to act upon said piston;

a communication conduit across said piston whereby.

the liquid pressure on one side of said diaphragm is substantially equal to the liquid pressure on the other side of said diaphragm when said treating fluid is being injected into said outlet and into said liquid stream;

spring means to return said piston upon exhaust of said liquid pressure whereby said diaphragm will draw treating fluid through said inlet; and

means to adjustably control the total length of stroke of said piston and diaphragm.

4. Apparatus to inject treating fluid into a flowing liquid pressure stream of the type described including piston means to permit said liquid pressure stream to actuate a diaphragm pump, said pump having an inlet for said treating fluid and an outlet connecting with said liquid pressure stream;

timed alternating inlet and exhaust valves for said liquid 5. A treating fluid feed pump of the character described comprising:

a pressure fluid cylinder;

said pressure fluid cylinder containing unidirectional inlet and outlet valves operated by a valve operating lever;

a cam operating against said valve operating lever to alternately supply and exhaust pressure fluid through said valves to said cylinder;

means to rotate said cam;

a pump head chamber having inlet and outlet valved passageways to prevent reverse flow;

a flexible diaphragm member disposed in said pump head chamber, one side of which is in communication with said passageway to move treating fluid therethrough;

a piston disposed in said pressure fluid chamber operable upon supply of pressure fluid to stroke in one direction;

a reciprocable operating shaft sealed with respect to said cylinder and interconencting said piston and said diaphragm on its other side, a conduit through said shaft providing communication of said pressure fluid with the other side of said diaphragm; and

a return spring to bias said piston in an opposite direction upon exhaust of said pressure fluid.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,285,163 6/1942 Knott et al. 103152 3,010,404 11/1961 Anderson 103152 ROBERT M. WALKER, Primary Examiner. 

1. A TREATING FLUID FEED PUMP OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED COMPRISING: A PRESSURE FLUID CYLINDER; SAID PRESSURE FLUID CYLINDER CONTAINING UNIDIRECTIONAL INLET AND OUTLET VALVES OPERATED BY A VALVE OPERATING LEVER; A CAM OPERATING AGAINST SAID VALVE OPERATING LEVER TO ALTERNATELY SUPPLY AND EXHAUST PRESSURE FLUID THROUGH SAID VALVES TO SAID CYLINDER; MEANS TO ROTATE SAID CAM; A PUMP HEAD CHAMBER HAVING INLET AND OUTLET VALVED PASSAGEWAYS TO PREVENT REVERSE FLOW; A FLEXIBLE DIAPHRAGM MEMBER DISPOSED IN SAID PUMP HEAD CHAMBER, ONE SIDE OF WHICH IS IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID PASSAGEWAY TO MOVE TREATING FLUID THERETHROUGH; A PISTON DISPOSED IN SAID PRESSURE FLUID CHAMBER OPERABLE UPON SUPPLY OF PRESSURE FLUID TO STROKE IN ONE DIRECTION; A RECIPROCABLE OPERATING SHAFT SEALED WITH RESPECT TO SAID CYLINDER AND INTERCONNECTING SAID PISTON AND SAID DIAPHRAGM ON ITS OTHER SIDE, A CONDUIT THROUGH SAID SHAFT TO PROVIDE COMMUNICATION OF SAID PRESSURE FLUID WITH THE OTHER SIDE OF SAID DIAPHRAGM; A RETURN SPRING TO BIAS SAID PISTON IN AN OPOSITE DIRECTION UPON EXHAUST OF SAID PRESSURE FLUID; A CONTROL STOP MEMBER CONTIGUOUS TO THE END OF SAID PISTON STROKE IN SAID OPPOSITE DIRECTION; AND A CONTROL CAM ADJUSTABLY SECURED TO SAID CYLILNDER AND OPERABLE TO DISPLACE SAID STOP MEMBER WITH RESPECT TO SAID PISTON AND THEREFORE SET THE DESIRED LENGTH OF SAID STROKE. 